Match Preview

Starting with this weekend’s fixture with FC Dallas, San Jose embark on a run of games that will really test their credentials and see if they can play with the so called ‘big clubs’ in MLS.

FC Dallas at home is just the start for the Earthquakes before they head to Seattle and host LA Galaxy. Although they have fallen out of the playoff places, a win over FC Dallas should see them propel into the top six again and that would give them terrific confidence before heading to the Sounders.

San Jose have only lost one of their five games at home this season, in a 1-0 defeat to Real Salt Lake back in April.

Some could argue that the Earthquakes are over relying on top scorer Chris Wondolowski, who has netted eight times this season, with no other player for the Quakes scoring more than one goal.

FC Dallas come into this one off the back of two consecutive losses. A 4-0 defeat away at Sporting Kansas City last week followed a 2-1 loss at Montreal Impact and those results have seen Dallas fall to fourth in the Western after a strong start to the season.

Dallas have only won twice away from Toyota Stadium so far with wins at the Philadelphia Union and also Houston Dynamo, so they will be desperate to get a third on Sunday.

After this one FC Dallas have another three matches on the road before they head back home to Toyota Stadium in what is a testing spell.

The two sides meet for the second time this season on Sunday with the first coming on the opening day of the season. FC Dallas won 1-0 at home with Blas Perez’s injury time winner settling the match.

Team News

San Jose Earthquakes will be without Tommy Thompson as he is away on international duty. Innocent Emeghara is still out for another 4-5 months, while Leandro Barrera and Steven Lenhart are both struggling with knee injuries.

FC Dallas are without Zach Loyd through suspension. Jesse Gonzalez, Kellyn Acosta, Rolando Escobar and Blas Perez are all on international duty, while Stephen Keel remains out with a foot injury.

Key Points

San Jose Earthquakes last five: W/D/W/D/L

FC Dallas last five: W/W/D/L/L

Key Stat: There have been five red cards in the last six meetings between these two sides.

Key Player: Chris Wondolowski – The American has hit 100 MLS goals. He’s on eight for the season and will look to add to that tally against a weakened FC Dallas side.

Score Prediction

San Jose Earthquakes 2-0 FC Dallas – Hard to look past the Quakes in this one. They are good at form and take on a weakened Dallas side at the perfect time as they come into this one off a bad run of form.